32 A FEW FINAL REMARKS. 



country, it is a little difficult to do so, but by comparing our insects with the 

 European species of like rarity or commonness, we can place to them the 

 same or approximate prices. 



Neatness in expanding and perfection of specimens have been too lightly 

 heeded heretofore in this country, as the collector seemed to think if he had 

 captured the insect it was all right, no matter how much it was battered or 

 defaced ; it is ever well to bear in mind that one fine, faultless specimen is 

 worth no end of rubbish, but still, as I have before remarked, in the very 

 rare species we must be satisfied to take the best we can get ; but if all our 

 collectors would take heed and not put Sphinx pins in Geometra?, and some 

 examples near the head of the pin and some two-thirds down, it would en- 

 hance the value of their examples very considerably. 



It must be borne in mind that many: species, especially Exotics, can only 

 be gotten by purchase ; as the expenses of traveling and living in some coun- 

 tries are very great, the products of the collector's labours must bring him 

 money to meet those expenses, and as the major part of his collections are 

 generally not the rarest species, it is but reasonable to suppose that the rare 

 species will have to pay for what he loses by the small price of the commoner 

 kinds. Though by purchasing a large number or quantity together, often- 

 times very great rarities are secured at a merely nominal figure ; in the prices 

 (except of the European species) there is no set value the law of demand and 

 supply regulating it ; a species that you may get to-day for a dollar may be 

 worth, in a week, five, or what mav be five to-dav mav in a short time fall to 



/ / " / 



one. 



As a rule, the species of Siberia and Amoorland are the most expensive, 

 then come certain splendid exotics, such as the glorious Agrias, many of the 

 Papilio, Saturnida?, etc. Papilio Antimachus, Dru., from W. Africa, of which 

 but few specimens are known, all male, would bring, if it could be at all 

 obtained, almost any price, and there are other species that would command 

 any price, almost, if they could but be obtained. 



Then again, many very handsome species, such as Papilio Sarpedon, P. 

 Agamemnon, P. Evemon, P. Phaeton, CalMcore Clymena, Viet. Sthenales, 

 Ageronia Arethusa, A. Feronia, &c., &c., &c., can be had at prices ranging 

 from 25 cents to $1.00 apiece. But as the student gets deeper interested in 

 the study, and better acquainted with the various species through the figures 

 and descriptions of the different authors, he will better appreciate their value. 



